Decisions Decisions! T-6 Issues
Hello Dere! Another month and another 30 days of uninformed managerial
decisions! Is it really a step UP to be a supervisor? Naw, I think it is
something you step into instead of stepping up! But let’s get on with
learning about T-6 issues this month. Hope I surprise you with new info!
So all you T-6’s (yea, I know your Grade 2’s now, but it doesn’t have the
same ring to it, so for all us old veterans you’ll always be T-6’s!) you
need to pay attention here!

According to our Local Memorandum (Orlando, FL) a T-6 can only be
bumped by the regular on the route. Not by a PTF, not another full time
employee, no one, except the regular on that route, and that is ONLY when
there is another route open in the T-6’s group. Your local may be
different and it is the controlling factor on how the T-6 is bumped or
moved.

If there is a PTF with a hold down within the group, the T-6 may bump
the PTF off the hold down. This is only on a day-to-day basis and does not
nullify the PTF’s hold down. This is supported by a Step 4 Dec., M-00154
and the JCAM pg. 41.13. (see J-CAM at resources)

Vacant T-6 positions are not opted on under Art. 41 of the National
Agreement. They are assigned higher-level assignments under Art. 25. See
JCAM pg. 41.11 and Step 4 Dec. M-00431. The senior qualified, eligible and
available employee volunteer in the immediate work area MUST be selected.
Full time regulars are eligible to apply for higher-level assignments
under this Art. So, if you would like to apply for a vacant T-6 bid to see
if you would like to bid it, you may do so within your station and you are
the senior volunteer. PTF’s may apply for this position also. If no full
time regulars are bidding, then the senior PTF would qualify. Be sure if
the T-6 position is vacant more than 5 days that management puts it up to
be applied for.

Mgmt. cannot assign different employees to cover the position on an as
needed basis when there are 5 or more days involved. This was ruled on by
Arbitrator Snow in arbitration C-10254. When a full time regular is
awarded the T-6 assignment he is also paid accordingly. This is enforced
by the “Brown Memo”, a Step 4 Decision, M-00902. If a PTF is awarded the
T-6 position they are awarded a higher level pay, but that will vary
according to what step level you are on at the time of assignment. This
DOES NOT mean that they receive the equivalent T-6 pay.

How many of you T-6’s just get shuffled around, one route to another?
According to a Step 4 Dec., M-01085, that’s not allowed. It states:

“…a T-6 should not normally be moved off the scheduled route unless
absolutely necessary and all other alternatives have been considered
including the use of overtime and/or auxiliary assistance.”

Also, a T-6 may not be used to fill in on one of his routes for an
extended period of time. Step 4 Dec. M00100 states:

“The information presented in this case indicates that the grievant has
been utilized to carry one route in his string of five routes for an
extended period of time. Such a requirement is contrary to the provisions
set forth in Art. XLI, Sec. 2.D of the National Agreement.”

“…the Postmaster is advised that the intent of the provisions in Art.
XLI, Sec. 2.D is that a T-6 carrier will work their duty assignment as
posted, except in those unusual circumstances when it is not otherwise
possible to do so.”

While researching this, I find that the reference to Art. 41.2.D is now
Art. 41.C.4. Also, another Step 4 Dec., M-00277, also references extended
periods:

“However, when it is known in advance that a carrier will be absent for
an extended period, it is not anticipated that a T-6 will be required to
serve the same route for the entire week unless unanticipated or emergency
circumstances exist.”

So the next time your supervisor wants you to do a route in your string
for the regular’s 2-week vacation, just tell him, “I don’t think so! I
want to speak to my steward!”

I hope you T-6’s know that you are not supposed
to case several routes a day! If you didn’t, you
know now. Step 4 Dec., M-00758 and M-00129 have
established that T-6’s must be assigned to a
specific route each day.

“Whether or not the T-6 carrier was
improperly assigned to case mail on several
routes on a given day can only be determined by
applying Art. 41, Sec. 1.C.4 to the fact
circumstances. The parties at this level agree
that a T-6 should not normally be moved off the
scheduled route unless absolutely necessary and
all other alternatives have been considered
including the use of overtime and/or auxiliary
assistance.”

A T-6 should work 8 hrs. on his daily
assignment. That means if you are scheduled on
route A for that day, you should work at least 8
hours on that route (unless that route has
undertime…yeah right!). If mgmt. is requiring
you to move all over the place to case, this is
not permitted under the Step 4 decisions. If you
are a non-odl T-6 they should not be doing this
at all. Only work assignment and ODL T-6’s
should be casing additional routes in their
string and they must put in eight hours on their
assignment for that day.

How about distribution of overtime? Work
assignment T-6’s have preference of overtime
over any non-odl regulars and ODL regulars
within their group. That means if a T-6 was on
work assignment and a the carrier in his/her
group was on the ODL, the T-6 is entitled and is
obligated to carry the overtime on that route
over the regular. Only if the regular is a work
assignment carrier are they entitled to the
overtime on their route over the T-6. This is
explained in the JCAM on pg. 8-19.

Well now, have I got all of you totally
confused yet? Hope not. Just trying to inform
the membership of the rights of the Carrier
Technician. So if you plan to bid on a T-6 group
you now know what you can expect and demand.

I hope these articles enlighten you and
inform you, as these are my goals with these
articles. We all need to know our jobs and
rights. Only then can we keep management from
taking advantage of us and for them to begin to
understand what the National Agreement is all
about!

So until next time…BE INFORMED! BE
PROFESSIONAL! BE UNION!

If anyone has questions you can contact me on
the City Carriers message board and I will be
glad to answer them!